Large Mahogany And Gilt Bronze Commode, Louis XVI Directory Period Attributed To Etienne Avril

Chest of drawers in mahogany and satin veneer in frames of acanthus leaves in chiseled and gilded bronze, ribbed fluted legs and asparagus in gilded bronze, gray Sainte Anne marble top with groove. It opens with 3 rows of drawers, 3 thin under the belt and 2 large without visible crossbar simulating only one. The chest of drawers is entirely mounted on oak. Beautiful Parisian work to compare with the productions of Etienne Avril (unstamped). End of the Louis XVI or DIrectoire period. Years 1790-1800. Very elegant, its proportions are perfect, without any fault of taste. The gilded bronze moldings make it a top quality luxury model. It is truly a beautiful model, the attribution to Etienne Avril is quite probable. Etienne Avril (1748-1791) – cabinetmaker – mastery obtained on November 23, 1774: cabinetmaker under the reign of Louis XVI, Etienne Avril is characterized by his furniture with panels framed with bronze rods. His furniture is most often made of mahogany. They are characterized by rigorous and simple lines and large plain surfaces, typical of the style of Louis XVI. The shapes are clean, light, well proportioned, the bronzes almost absent, visible only at the keyholes and sometimes in the form of fine framing strips which highlight the architecture of the furniture. Our dresser is in excellent condition. The stamp varnish has been redone. The mercury-gilded bronzes have retained their original gilding, which is well preserved. Length: 128cm Height: 88cm Depth: 57.5cm